"Mulligan!" She yells after the bright yellow golf ball violently bounces off the putt-putt green and plunks into the water at the bottom of the windmill prop.

Ker-plunk.

Oops.

Wouldn't it be nice if everything in life that didn't go quite as we planned we could call "mulligan" and get a do-over?

Under the right circumstances, that very thing is possible; especially with the God that grants second, third, and fourth chances!

Bathsheba is an awesome example of a gal given a second chance.

I know, Bathsheba, the infamous “bad girl” in the Bible. Just hearing her name conjures thoughts of instant dislike and negativity because her story is tinged with adultery, murder, and death.

Personally, I say Bathsheba got a bad rap because the ending to her story is one of redemption.

Walk through this with me…

While her husband is away at war, Bathsheba catches the King’s eye while bathing on the rooftop one evening. King David is immediately taken with her beauty and has her summoned to the palace. A night of passion takes place, and Bathsheba ends up pregnant.

(Sidebar: No where in the Bible does it say that Bathsheba objected to the King's advances.)

Now the dilemma- what to do with a married woman who is newly pregnant while her husband is away?

The King devises a plan to bring her husband home early to trick him into believing the child is his but when his plan doesn't work the King has Bathsheba's husband killed on the battlefield and marries Bathsheba instead.

Adultery, deception, and murder.

A hot mess that is very displeasing to God, to the point that God sends a prophet to King David to advise that the consequences of their actions will result in the death of their child.

A marriage based on lying, cheating, murder and a child's death.

So, how exactly is this a story of redemption?

It is what happens after the death of their child that we see the change and the path to a second chance.

First, they acknowledged their wrongdoings and REPENTED, no excuses, just falling on God's mercy.

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." ~ 1 John 1:9

Second, they CHANGED what they could, making a conscious decision to learn from their mistakes and not repeat history. They remained faithful to one another until death and made honoring God their priority.

"Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work."~ 2 Timothy 2:21

In turn, God blessed them with a second chance and showed his favor.

Bathsheba, who started out from an undesirable position, ended up blessed with a second child who turned out to be King Solomon! One of the greatest, wisest and wealthiest kings in history. Credit needs to go to his mother for raising such a great guy!

Tradition also says that Bathsheba penned the famous Proverbs 31 passage in the Bible, which is a blueprint to being a Godly woman, wife, and mother. If true, she had to have lived the advice penned.

Finally, Bathsheba was honored to be named in the very lineage of Christ!!!

Talk about a life story that started off negatively but ended glorifying God.

I can completely relate to Bathsheba's story as my marriage also started off on the wrong foot but with repentance and dedication to change, I found redemption and blessings beyond measure! My second chance!

So, no matter what your story holds- what past mistakes, sins or "oops" moments fill your life nothing is too big or bad for God to forgive.

It is possible to have a second chance, and God is more than willing to grant it- the catch is what are you willing to do for it?

Father, thank you that you are merciful and you are a God of numerous chances. When we turn to you in repentance and seek your ways, we can be assured your promises are true, and new beginnings are possible.

"But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." ~Lamentations 3:21-23